Q. What age groups do you serve? Do you take infants?

A. At Danby Daycare, we focus primarily on children ages 2-5. As per NY State Family Day Care regulations, we can have 2 babies under 2 per adult present. That means that with two teachers, we can have up to 4 babies under 2. Whether we can accept an infant will depend on the rest of the class and their age breakdown.

Q. What does nature connection education mean?

A. We believe that nature holds healing energy for children and adults alike. There are many lessons to be found in nature and organic ways to learn about the way the world works. We believe that by having children engage with the natural world every day, they will develop curiosity, awe, and resilience, as well as an intrinsic respect for our planet. 

Q. How do you plan on doing Spanish/English?

A. We will have an assistant joining us in the fall who is also a native Spanish speaker. As teachers, our default language will be Spanish among each other. We will read books, sing songs, and tell stories in both Spanish and English. We will meet children where they’re at, but attempt to transition toward all instruction being in Spanish within a few months. The goal is to create an immersive environment that encourages children to practice their Spanish skills. As a Venezuelan immigrant with a baby of my own, I want to give my child the gift of bilingualism, which is part of the original incentive behind running the daycare bilingually.

Q. What is Montessori Education?

A. (Taken from the American Montessori Society Website) “Montessori is an innovative, child-centered approach to education, developed a century ago by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician. Montessori education is student-led and self-paced but guided, assessed, and enriched by knowledgeable and caring teachers, the leadership of their peers, and a nurturing environment (…) Individual students follow their own curiosity at their own pace, taking the time they need to fully understand each concept and meet individualized learning goals.”

Q. Why do you close on Fridays? This seems untraditional.

A. As parents and business owners, we would like to spend more time with our families. Working with children is so rewarding, but it can be challenging and it is common for childcare workers to experience burnout. Keeping our workweek to 4 days allows us to take care of ourselves and our families so we can be our best selves in providing care to your children as well.

Q. How often do you go outside?

A. We go outside every day. If there are safety concerns (lightning, extreme wind, or very cold heavy rain) we will try to work around the weather for at least a 10-minute window outside if possible.